Steinar Nilsen

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Steinar Nilsen (May 1, 1972) is a Norwegian football manager. He also had a long active playing career behind him, mainly as a defender, before he retired in 2004. Nilsen played for Tromsø I.L. between 1989 and 1997, before he was sold to AC Milan. Nilsen never managed to make a big impact on the club, however, and thus moved to SSC Napoli, before returning to Tromsø I.L. in 2003.

In 2005, after Per Mathias Høgmo resigned his job as Tromsø I.L.-manager, Nilsen became assistant manager to Otto Ulseth, Høgmo's former assistant. A horrible start to Tromsø I.L.'s season saw Ulseth fired and Nilsen promoted to head manager. This move was criticised by many Norwegian sports commentators, with some, especially Ivar Hoff, claiming it would assuredly mean Tromsø I.L. would be relegated. However, Nilsen was exactly what Tromsø I.L. needed. He turned Tromsø I.L.'s poor form around, and they became, after a good run in the autumn-part of the season, safe from relegation. Nilsen also led Tromsø I.L. to a historic UEFA Cup victory over Galatasaray, making Tromsø I.L. the first Norwegian team (together with Viking F.K.) to reach the UEFA Cup's group stage. At the end of the 2005-campaign, Nilsen stepped down from his position as Tromsø I.L. manager, despite urges from many fans for him to stay longer.

In 2006, following another string of bad results, Tromsø I.L.-manager Ivar Morten Normark was fired and Nilsen once more stepped in as replacement manager for the remainder of the season, in hopes that he could save Tromsø I.L. from relegation. Nilsen's effect was not as noticeable on the team this time, however, and with four matches left of the season Tromsø I.L. looked like they would almost certainly be relegated. However, a string of three consecutive wins at the end of season put Tromsø I.L. in 10th place, meaning Nilsen had once more saved Tromsø I.L. from relegation.

Nilsen has an older brother, Roger Nilsen, who was also a competent professional footballer.